Articles related to PAIN

“The guideline was never intended to set a standard of care in the treatment of pain, much less was it intended to serve as a means to criminally prosecute clinicians. While the new guideline is a substantial improvement, harm from the 2016 guideline will not be easily erased and will require more specific wording than is currently present.” (Requires free registration / login)

The CDC has released updated guidelines for prescribing opioids. The newest guidelines focus on patient-centered decisions and reduce some limitations on prescribing that were put in place back in 2016. The updated guidance recognizes the ongoing increase in opioid-related deaths, but seeks to give physicians and patients more direction in managing individual therapy.

A 56-year-old man has had right-upper-quadrant abdominal pain for several months but is otherwise healthy. He does not drink alcohol, has not been exposed to other hepatotoxins, and takes no medications. On physical examination, vital signs are normal. Abdominal examination reveals hepatosplenomegaly. The remainder of the physical exam is normal. What would you do?

There’s nothing like the sun when it comes to essential vitamin D. When your patients don’t get enough of it, fatigue and a host of other symptoms may arise. Here are 10 to keep an eye on if you think there may be a deficiency of vitamin D in your patients.